In Newark, Devils feud, a lesson: No public money for arenas

File photosA day after Newark Mayor Cory Booker lashed out at Devils managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek âÂÂ accusing him of exploiting the city âÂÂ the mayor said the team owner turned down his request for seats to next monthâÂÂs sold out Bruce Springsteen concert at the Prudential Center.

The time has come to end the insanity. Newark’s problems with the Prudential Center and Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek are just the tip of the iceberg.

The only solution is a federal law prohibiting the use of public money to build any professional sports facility.

This new law needs to be specific. No public money includes no tax abatements, no eminent domain purchases of necessary land and a 50 percent limit on the costs of necessary infrastructure changes need. No sharing of parking fees, for the team or any performers who use the facility. If the teams want parking revenue, then they should purchase and operate their own parking lots.

Now, I realize that these facilities bring revenue to local businesses, but that is limited — in most cases — to bars, restaurants and souvenir shops.

I am sure that most team owners would be quite satisfied with their current facilities if this law were enacted.